Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 8, 1995 TAG: 9503080085
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Christiansburg Police Department, the local American Association of Retired Persons and other senior groups have signed on to a national "Triad" program that emphasizes protecting seniors from crime and rip-off artists through education, involvement and communication.
"This is a momentous occasion we have here today," Chief Ron Lemons told about 50 people gathered at Cambria Baptist Church to mark the kick-off of the program.
Christiansburg is not immune to the graying of America, Lemons said, noting that 35 percent of the town's population are senior citizens.
"Law enforcement calls for service are affected by this growth," the chief said.
Senior citizens may not know where to turn when they need help and young police officers may not know about all the services that are available for seniors.
The newly-formed Seniors and Lawmen Together council will help remedy that, Lemons said, training officers how to communicate with senior citizens and helping the citizens identify what areas they think police need to pay attention to.
"This is going to be our sounding board for the community," Lemons said.
The group will emphasize reducing crime and the fear of crime that seniors and others have.
"A lot of seniors may fear the wrong kind of crime," such as murder or robbery, said Don Webb, an AARP professional services representative from Alexandria.
"Really, our members are more apt to be victimized by a plain old fraud or scam."
Authorities say mail-order rip-offs and home repair film-flams are commonly aimed at senior citizens, who are regarded as vulnerable and less likely to report the crime because of fear their children will think they are becoming incompetent to lead their financial affairs.
Aims of the Triad resolution include helping restore older peoples' sense of dignity and security while dealing with actual and perceived losses.
Retired Sgt. Frank Graves will be the SALT group's chairman. Members will include other police officers and representatives of the varied senior citizens groups such as AARP and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
SALT will conduct a survey to assess seniors needs, problems and fears and the Police Department will respond with appropriate crime prevention programs. The department also is developing policy and guidelines "relating to our interaction with older people," Lemons said.
The Triad program began nationally in 1988 when the AARP, the National Sheriffs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police signed an agreement to work together to reduce victimization of seniors.
by CNB